Pannier Frame Touratech or Metal Mule

[andyb43]

Whats everyones experiance of each I need to buy the pannier frame but unsure which is the best? they are about the same price and I belive both 18 mm but whats the realworld experiance before i get the cheque book out please.

[JustMe]

Originally Posted by andyb43

Whats everyones experiance of each I need to buy the pannier frame but unsure which is the best? they are about the same price and I belive both 18 mm but whats the realworld experiance before i get the cheque book out please.

Dunno about the other manufacturer, but we have the TT system on the Africa Twin and the Transalp since about 5 years / 40.000km and both are solid and reliable. I must say however that I´m never fully convinced about TT´s coating quality, though, be it with pannier racks or crash bars. But that can be rectified after several years with the help of a powdercoater, which is not expensive.
Cheers
Chris

[andyb43]

Cheers chris,

[Vaufi]

Technically both racks are very sturdy. I suppose you should take the rack of the company from which you buy the panniers.
At Ripley I had a look at the Metal Mules and was very impressed. But since my Zega panniers are still good after 100 kkms there was no need to replace them ;o)

[andyb43]

Cheers Vaufi,

I am getting the Overlander-60 - Kriega so need a good frame to fit. Rather get a good one first time than waste money replacing it after a year but not worried about having it powder coated might even get it done prior to fitting if the coating is thin save time and money in the long run.

[Tony P]

I regretfully had Metal Mule panniers and frames for SibirskyExtreme.
After the very first day off-road the frame suffered one fracture and at the same point on the other side, a complete break. And we had hardly even started in Siberia!

Later I checked with another rider we met who had TT panniers. We found both makes panniers were fully interchangeable to both makes of frames.

Looking at the frames, the difference was that MM do not 'butt-weld' the tubes to mounting points but squash the tube flat (which destroys the inherent strengh of a tube section) and then bends the flattened part to the required angle - providing a further specifically weakening location!

By contrast TT 'butt-weld' the cut tube end to a thick metal plate which looked far stronger.

When reporting the problem to MM their only comment was that I must not have fitted it correctly - nothing wrong with their product!

Additionally, specific to F650GS, there is a sliding unit that holds the frame by gripping the inside of the circular rear footpeg support. The MM unit only grips in two narrow sections of its circumference along about 60% of its length. Givi make a far better expanding unit that grips throughout all its length AND throughout 95% of its circumference

In future I would go for TT frames.


I also learned on that trip that hard luggage can injure and possibly kill, it encourages carrying too much gear/weight and really is best suited for showing off your stickers outside the pub or around the M25, Boulevard Périphérique or МКАД.

For any sort of non sealed roads I would now always go for soft luggage - as in a whole series of different threads!

[JustMe]

Originally Posted by Tony P

Looking at the frames, the difference was that MM do not 'butt-weld' the tubes to mounting points but squash the tube flat (which destroys the inherent strengh of a tube section) and then bends the flattened part to the required angle - providing a further specifically weakening location!

That would be an absolute dealbreaker for me. Inferior solution.

Cheers
Chris

[Threewheelbonnie]

The MM coating was falling off at 8 years old. Never tested them for strength I tend to only fall off at walking pace.

I've gone GIVI this time, can't justify the insane prices for MM or TT just to keep lightly loaded soft bags out of the back wheel.

Andy

[steve/m]

Hi Andy long time since oz ,,,,,,you do know that panniers dont go on a disco ha ha,,,,so which bike have you got i have been looking at 1200gs,,we are just off to the german show at badkissingen,,,hope that kas is ok cheers

[andyb43]

Hi Steve,

I lost touch mate sorry, Kas is living near Rugby I ended up working for DHL for 1 year and now sat in Afghanistan as a Private Security Contractor saving like mad for the next trip hopefully at the end of 2014.

Disco stu is having a rest until we can fit a Bimobil on the back to give Kas some comfort.

So Jeliouse your going to the ultimate Overland show I am aranging my leave for next years show so if your up for some company then let me know?

Kas bought the Super Tenere as a birthday pressie I pick it up in August when I am next back. my 6th midlife chrisis LOL. before you go for the GS have a test ride on the Super before you decide mate.

Drop me a line and maybe we can catch up in August we were thinking of nipping up for a few days to the north lands on the bike.

[casperghst42]

Originally Posted by Vaufi

Technically both racks are very sturdy. I suppose you should take the rack of the company from which you buy the panniers.
At Ripley I had a look at the Metal Mules and was very impressed. But since my Zega panniers are still good after 100 kkms there was no need to replace them ;o)

You don't mention for which bike (or I might have missed it), there is a cheaper alternative; holan.pl are of the same quality as TT, but cheaper. Only issue is that their deliver can fluctuate. They should be same size as TT's....

Casper

[andyb43]

Cheers Casper,

Its a Super tenere, I will look in to the Holan.

Thank you

[andyb43]

Cheers Casper,

£141

for the frame instead of £300 for a TT or MM. and it is the same 18mm x2mm tubing

[casperghst42]

Originally Posted by andyb43

Cheers Casper,

£141

for the frame instead of £300 for a TT or MM. and it is the same 18mm x2mm tubing

Only thing is that Holan does not always deliver when they say they will - which is why they have been dropped by their american distributer....

But if you have time, then it's a lot cheaper than TT.

I was at TT (The Netherlands) the other week to order my paniers, and the pre mounted fits just fine - approx.. 3 - 4 mm gap, but that should not cause an issue.


Casper